Physical Sciences
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it. Covers historical geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology, the chemistry of rocks and soils, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geostatistics, volcanology, glaciology, geophysical principles, and applications to research and industrial problems.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 8 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- Focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it. Covers historical geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology, the chemistry of rocks and soils, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geostatistics, volcanology, glaciology, geophysical principles, and applications to research and industrial problems.
- Geochemistry
- Focuses on the scientific study of the chemical properties and behavior of the silicates and other substances forming, and formed by geomorphological processes of the earth and other planets. Covers chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium in silicate systems, atomic bonding, isotopic fractionation, geochemical modeling, specimen analysis, and studies of specific organic and inorganic substances.
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the physics of solids and its application to the study of the earth and other planets. Covers gravimetric, seismology, earthquake forecasting, magnetrometry, electrical properties of solid bodies, plate tectonics, active deformation, thermodynamics, remote sensing, geodesy, and laboratory simulations of geological processes.
- Paleontology
- Focuses on the scientific study of extinct life forms and associated fossil remains, and the reconstruction and analysis of ancient life forms, ecosystems, and geologic processes. Covers sedimentation and fossilization processes, fossil chemistry, evolutionary biology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, trace fossils, micropaleontology, invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, field research methods, and laboratory research and conservation methods.
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science
- Focuses on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and subsurface waters, including groundwater. Covers geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, chemical physics, geomorphology, mathematical modeling, hydrologic analysis, continental water processes, global water balance, and environmental science.
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal processes within the earth and the mineral, fluid, rock, and ore deposits resulting from them. Covers mineralogy, crystallography, petrology, volcanology, economic geology, meteoritics, geochemical reactions, deposition, compound transformation, core studies, theoretical geochemistry, computer applications, and laboratory studies.
- Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
- Focuses on the scientific study of the chemical components, mechanisms, structure, and movement of ocean waters and their interaction with terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena. Covers material inputs and outputs, chemical and biochemical transformations in marine systems, equilibria studies, inorganic and organic ocean chemistry, oceanographic processes, sediment transport, zone processes, circulation, mixing, tidal movements, wave properties, and seawater properties.
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
- Geological and related sciences not listed above.
Also called Hydrogeology
Also called Geodetics, Geodesy
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.2%
- Job openings a year
- 9,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingGeoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Median pay
- $101,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.1%
- Job openings a year
- 1,800
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyAtmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $103,170
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.4%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing slowlyHydrologists
- Median pay
- $96,600
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.5%
- Job openings a year
- 400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyChemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $93,250
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.3%
- Job openings a year
- 1,700
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyGeological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
- Median pay
- $53,350
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.6%
- Job openings a year
- 1,000
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingHydrologic Technicians
- Median pay
- $64,790
- Hiring change through 2035
- −1.3%
- Job openings a year
- 400
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $35,802 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.